Home»Thomas Gianetti to Present the February 2019 SaddleBrooke Science Café

Thomas Gianetti to Present the February 2019 SaddleBrooke Science Café

Thomas Gianetti, Assistant Professor of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of Arizona, will present the February 2019 Science Café talk "Fighting Climate Change at the Molecular Level" on Thursday, February 7 at 6:30 pm.

Earth’s climate has been changing for millions of years, slowly alternating long periods of ice ages with eras of elevated temperature. In the past, rapid temperature changes have always led to large-scale extinction of life; and we are currently witnessing one of the most sudden climate evolution ever recorded. Scientists have identified greenhouse gases – CO2 from fuel combustion, CH4 and N2O from agriculture and farming – as the main cause for global climate change. These gases are mostly naturally occurring, but the increasing emissions of these gases have never been so substantial. Since the industrial revolution, cheap energy from fossil fuels has been an extraordinary boon to mankind. Driven by the explosive energy of coal, oil, and natural gas, our society has enjoyed a remarkable three-century long wave of prosperity. However, 200 years of burning carbon has had a drastic impact on our environment and climate change is now the world's most significant existential challenge. Rising temperatures are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg; their effect on the future of our planet is both widespread and serious. There will be a significant impact on agricultural productivity, sea levels, storm frequency and intensity, and prevalence of infectious disease, to name a few. In order to tackle this established risk, our society needs to understand the root of climate change, develop technologies that lower greenhouse gas emissions, and mitigate the damages already accrued.

About Science Cafés: Science Cafés, presented by the UA College of Science, bring the community together with UA scientists and graduate students in a casual setting. You'll learn about the latest research being conducted, get to know the faces behind the science, and have opportunities to ask questions and deepen your understanding. We have four separate café series at five different locations around Tucson, each with their own themes for fascinating science discussions.